'The Bachelor' Recap: Courtney bears the scorn for a chance at Ben

ABCShe trashed the other women, bounced topless in front of "The Bachelor" Ben Flajnik, lured him into skinny dipping and probably did a whole lot more with him away from the camera's eye. Last night, Courtney Robertson got some payback -- and made a teary apology -- on the "The Women Tell All" segment as the 16th season winds to a close

She trashed the other women, bounced topless in front of "The Bachelor" Ben Flajnik, lured him into skinny dipping and probably did a whole lot more with him away from the camera's eye. Last night, Courtney Robertson got some payback -- and made a teary apology -- on the "The Women Tell All" segment as the 16th season winds to a close.

It was the first time in "Bachelor" history that one of the finalists came back to face the bleacher beauties on stage. Give Courtney some credit for that. Not many people would be willing to step into a situation where jilted women have been sharpening their claws for more than an hour. But it's also the first time someone who conjures images of Cruella de Vil has made it this far in the competition.

In the prelim to Courtney, it was a bleep fest of bickering. ABC censors were hitting the red button faster than Samuel Morse tapped on his telegraph key.

Samantha went after Blakeley for not being friendlier, Blakeley said she din't "bother with small-minded people." Cattier than a pre-teen sleepover.

And when Samantha took aim at Britney, she fired back, "You're like the chihuahua in the house. You just don't stop talking. You just don't stop talking. So shut up. God, you are so annoying." With the studio crowd cheering, it felt like the "Jerry Springer Show." Even host Chris Harrison chuckled.

Before host Harrison steered the evening's drama back toward Courtney, though, there was a kiss-and-make-up session with Shawntel, a contestant on an early season who crashed the show in an attempt to win Ben.

But Courtney was the topic du jour. Emily had the stage to talk about her feelings for Ben. She was kicked out of the house after telling the bachelor what she thought of Courtney. "I think she's kind of a weirdo." And if Ben picks Courtney? "Ben has to be the one to live with his choice. . . He's made his bed and he has to lie in it."

Is she disappointed? "I wouldn't want to fall for someone who would fall for what Courtney was putting up."

Succubus might have been another word they were looking for, but then again, many of them might not be able to spell the word d-i-c-t-i-o-n-a-r-y.

In last week's episode, Courtney called the other finalists "Horsey" (Lindzi), "Fatty" (Nicki) and "The Kid" (Kacie B.). In other episodes, she rubbed her roses in the others' faces. Her open gloating made her few friends.

But last night, she seemed frightened and contrite. "Looking back, there's so many things I would've done differently." And, "It was never my intention to hurt anyone."

Blakeley, the VIP cocktail waitress who had her share of tartish moments this season, said Courtney "hurt my feelings." That made Courtney's eyes swell with tears. The camera zoomed in as she looked to the ceiling and said softly, "I take it all back."

"I just want to say sorry." She said it about a dozen times. "I'm really sorry." Not everyone bought it.

If any good comes from the show, it's maybe that Courtney has learned a lesson.

Ben was almost an afterthought -- much as he's been this whole season. He's had a fun time, jetting around the world, hot-tubbing, lip-locking with a different someone every week. But there was none of that last night. He had to face the girls he jilted, and they were dressed to kill. Not an enviable task for any guy, but even so, he could have played it better. That perpetual ain't-I-cute sleepy face he wore all season looked so flimsy. He was more like the proverbial deer in the headlights. He showed again he's about as deep as a puddle. He played defensive, surprised that these women should have such feelings for him. But that's what the show is all about, isn't it?

Chris Harrison asked, did Courtney come to find love? The answer was a nearly universal "no." Next week, Ben will ask the same question of Courtney and Lindzi in the season finale. The preview calls it the most controversial season finale ever.